Sahasam Review: A tumultuous treasure hunt

Telugu (U/A) ***
Cast: Gopichand, Taapsee Pannu, Shakti Kapoor, Ali, Suman
Director: Chandra Sekhar Yeleti

Action. Adventure. Romance. Captivating cinematography. Passable performance. Sahasam, directed by Chandra Sekhar Yeleti, has it all. Thanks to this assorted alchemy, Sahasam turns out a different outing than the routine.

Inspired by Hollywood sagas like Indiana Jones, Yeleti gives Tollywood audiences a delectable desi flavour with all-round technical finesse. Though Sahasam does not match up to the scale, scope and mastery of Hollywood, Yeleti’s yen for treading a different trail deserves kudos. However, one should not expect too much from the film.

Instead of regular romance, you have a treasure hunt, cross-border militia and awe-inspiring action filling the screen. Sahasam speaks of how grandson Gautam, a security guard, looking for easy money in lotteries, discovers his grandfather Suryanarayana Varma has hidden a treasure trove of 900 diamonds and other ornaments in Hingalji Devi temple housed in the now-divided Pakistan, during partition.

So Gautam, armed with his grandfather’s will, maps etc., sets out to Pakistan. Helping him is Sreenidhi, a strong proponent of Hindu religion. Whether Gautam succeeds in his search for the lost treasure and lays claim to it forms the pivot of Sahasam (Bravery). While the first half is furiously paced, the second half sags a bit.

Gopichand, who tries his luck after a long hiatus, scorches the screen. Providing him gorgeous company is Taapsee. Shakti Kapoor as Sultan, the militia chief who tries to thwart Gautam’s quest, is at his villainy best. Shyam Dutt’s cinematography of the lush locales of Ladakh, all make Sahasam a one-time option at theatres.